personalizing the internet

Today in class we talked about ways to personalize the internet, and I absolutely love igoogle. There are so many different gadgets, games, and ways to get organized! Also, the google reader and google alert is another great way to get up-to-date information about subscriptions or even searches you are looking for.

This would be a great tool to have in the classroom. I think a really beneficial way to use it in the classroom is for research projects, or if the class is collectively working on something. If you are working with younger kids and possibly getting a class pet such as chicks, fish, or even hamsters, the whole class could type in the animal into a search in reader or alert to get new information about it. We could also organize the various projects by separating all of our subscriptions into folders using google reader. We could even have a blog or website where we post information about the class pet and post new updates based on the information we obtain from our alerts or reader. That way if a student misses class, they will still be able to get the information that we talked about on that specific subject.

In the upper elementary levels, we could use these personalization tools for similar topics of research projects or something we decide as a class we want to learn more about (maybe outside academics, such as healthy lifestyles, etc.). We could define our search to subscribe to certain websites or blogs to get more information, or create an alert when something new comes in on that topic. It could turn into something really fun and just helpful for the students to learn.

I really enjoyed todays class in learning new ways to use the internet and various ways to get organized. iGoogle is my favorite and I love all the different applications. I'm not sure how much I would use the google reader/alert. The alert would be really useful when looking for a teaching job. That way you get the job posting right away and don't have to search various websites all day!

Website

Last Wednesday in CEP we had to create our website. I plan to use this website for professional purposes to give to employers. With the portfolio I have created links to my resume, course work, internship year, and to my blog. It will be easy for employers to access this information about me and to actually see what I have done and the experience I have/will have. I'm thinking of creating a photo gallery in my portfolio. Does anyone know if I need to get consent forms from parents in the after school program I work in, if I take or use any pictures of their child? I'm not sure about the legalities of it all. I also have another question regarding the portfolio: I inserted a picture on my home page that I downloaded from google images and the picture shows up for me, but when I sign out and go to the website, the picture isn't there. What did I do wrong and what else should I try?

With my course work I was going to put the major projects or papers that I worked on throughout my academic career in the college of education. I also wanted to make a spot for my study abroad trip, however I don't know if I should put it under course work or make it a separate link...? If anyone has an suggestions please let me know! It would be greatly appreciated!

website



Oh and how about our Spartans?!?!?! 3-0
I think we have a chance to beat Notre Dame next week :)

My first try

Right now I am currently a senior in the College of Education at MSU. I am from Clinton Township, MI; which pretty much means I am from the metro Detroit area. This semester I am an America Reads tutor, where I go to elementary schools and tutor little kids. I love working with kids and helping them learn. I am also very close with my family and go home some weekends to spend time with my 6 and 3 year old nieces.

I'm also a huge pistons fan :)